Fuel cell power and management system, and technique for controlling and/or operating same

ABSTRACT

There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable fuel cell power and management system (for example, hydrogen and/or methanol based systems), components and/or elements thereof, as well as techniques for controlling and/or operating such systems. The fuel cell power management system (and method of controlling and/or operating same) actively monitors, manages and/or controls one or more operating parameter(s) of the fuel cell system. For example, the system monitors, manages and/or controls the consumption and/or the rate of consumption of fuel by the system, and in response thereto, may provide and/or alert the user to amount of fuel remaining, consumed, the rate of consumption and/or the time (or estimation thereof) remaining until all of the fuel is spent. In this way, the user may schedule or plan accordingly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/538,646, entitled “Integrated Fuel Management System for FuelCells”, filed Jan. 22, 2004 (hereinafter “the Provisional Application”).The contents of the Provisional Application are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to fuel cell power and management systems, andtechniques for controlling and/or operating such systems; and moreparticularly, in one aspect, to fuel cell power and management systems,for example, hydrogen and/or methanol based systems, as well ascomponents, elements and/or subsystems therefore.

Generally, small portable electrical and electronic devices often employbatteries as a power source. However, conventional batteries havelimited energy storage capacity and must either be discarded orrecharged after they have depleted their limited energy storagecapacity. If thrown away, conventional batteries present environmentalhazards because of the toxic material used in manufacturing thebatteries. If recharged, the recharging process of conventionalbatteries is time consuming and as the age of these batteries increasesit becomes more and more difficult to determine the state of charge ofthe battery. In this regard, the life becomes unpredictable andunreliable, and so the user often discards the batteries before theuseful life is complete, thus incurring additional cost by the userhaving to carry extra batteries. Applications like professional videocameras, laptop computers, and cell phones often require longer runtimesthan conventional batteries can provide.

In addition to battery based systems, fuel cell systems may be employedto provide a portable source of electrical power. In one embodiment,fuel cell systems employ, for example, hydrogen, hydrogen rich gas,hydrogen containing compound or a substance from which hydrogen can beextracted on demand (i.e., a hydride storage cartridge). Such fuel cellsystems typically include an anode end for splitting hydrogen atoms intoelectrons and protons, a current bearing portion providing a pathway forthe electrons, a medium such as a proton exchange membrane providing apathway for the protons, and a cathode end for rejoining the electronsand protons into water molecules in the presence of oxygen. Conventionalfuel cells often generate electricity over a longer time period thanconventional batteries, provided that the fuel (for example, hydrogen)in the storage container is periodically refreshed. (See, for example,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,683,828; 5,858,567; 5,863,671; and 6,051,331).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There are many inventions described and illustrated herein as well asmany aspects and embodiments of those inventions. In a first principalaspect, the present invention is a hydrogen-based fuel cell managementsystem comprising a hydrogen-based fuel cartridge to storehydrogen-based fuel and a power unit, coupled to the hydrogen-based fuelcartridge, to generate electrical power from the hydrogen-based fuel.The hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, in this aspect of the invention,includes a fuel vessel adapted to store hydrogen-based fuel, memory tostore data which is representative of at least one operating parameterof the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge, and control circuitry (forexample, a microprocessor or microcontroller). The power unit includes ahydrogen-based fuel cell, adapted to receive the hydrogen-based fuel andgenerate electrical power therefrom.

The at least one operating parameter may be the amount of hydrogen-basedfuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel. In one embodiment, thecontrol circuitry may monitor the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that isremaining in the fuel vessel using an amount of time the hydrogen-basedfuel cartridge provides hydrogen-based fuel to power unit. In anotherembodiment, the control circuitry monitors the amount of hydrogen-basedfuel that is remaining using data which is representative of thepressure and temperature of the fuel in the fuel vessel.

The at least one operating parameter may be the rate of consumption ofthe hydrogen-based fuel by the power unit. In one embodiment, thecontrol circuitry monitors the rate of consumption of the hydrogen-basedfuel by the power unit using one or more sensors that provides datawhich is representative of the rate of flow of the fuel, the pressure ofthe fuel in the vessel and the temperature of the fuel in the vessel.

In one embodiment, the memory further stores data which isrepresentative of one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-basedfuel cartridge. The one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-basedfuel cartridge may include at least one of a serial number of the fuelcartridge, date of manufacture of the fuel cartridge, date of assemblyof the fuel cartridge, type of fuel contained in fuel vessel, fuelcapacity of the fuel cartridge, and number of refill operations the fuelcartridge has undergone.

Notably, the memory may also store data which is representative ofgeneral characteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.

In one embodiment, the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge may also include adisplay to visually display information which is representative of theat least one operating parameter.

The control circuitry of the fuel cartridge may intermittently,continuously or periodically determines the at least one operatingparameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge and intermittently,continuously or periodically store data which is representative of theat least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge inthe memory. In one embodiment, the memory and the control circuitry aredisposed on the same integrated circuit device.

The power unit may also include control circuitry to determine the atleast one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge (forexample, the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that has been consumed fromthe fuel vessel). In this embodiment, the control circuitry of the powerunit may intermittently, continuously or periodically determines the atleast one operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge andintermittently, continuously or periodically store data which isrepresentative of the at least one operating parameter of thehydrogen-based fuel cartridge in the memory of the fuel cartridge.

Where the at least one operating parameter is the amount ofhydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel, in oneembodiment, the control circuitry of the power unit may determine theamount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel usingan amount of time the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge provideshydrogen-based fuel to power unit. In another embodiment, the controlcircuitry of the power unit determines the amount of hydrogen-based fuelthat is remaining using data which is representative of the pressure andtemperature of the fuel in the fuel vessel.

The hydrogen-based fuel cartridge of this aspect of the invention mayalso include communication circuitry to provide data which isrepresentative of the at least one operating parameter of thehydrogen-based fuel cartridge to external circuitry. The communicationcircuitry may employ wireless communications techniques.

In another principal aspect, the present invention is a hydrogen-basedfuel cell management system comprising a hydrogen-based fuel cartridgeto store hydrogen-based fuel, a power unit, coupled to thehydrogen-based fuel cartridge, to generate electrical power from thehydrogen-based fuel, and a refill unit, adapted to connect with thehydrogen-based fuel cartridge, to provide fuel to the hydrogen-basedfuel cartridge for storage in the fuel vessel. The hydrogen-based fuelcartridge, in this aspect of the invention, includes a fuel vesseladapted to store hydrogen-based fuel, memory to store data which isrepresentative of at least one operating parameter of the hydrogen-basedfuel cartridge, and control circuitry (for example, a microprocessor ormicrocontroller). The power unit includes a hydrogen-based fuel cell,adapted to receive the hydrogen-based fuel and generate electrical powertherefrom.

The at least one operating parameter may be the amount of hydrogen-basedfuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel. In one embodiment, the powerunit includes control circuitry to determine the amount ofhydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel using an amountof time the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge provides hydrogen-based fuelto power unit. The control circuitry of the power unit may monitor theamount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel usingan amount of time the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge provideshydrogen-based fuel to power unit. In another embodiment, the controlcircuitry of the power unit may monitor the amount of hydrogen-basedfuel that is remaining using data which is representative of thepressure and temperature of the fuel in the fuel vessel. The at leastone operating parameter may be the rate of consumption of thehydrogen-based fuel by the power unit.

The memory may store data which is representative of one or more uniquecharacteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge and/or generalcharacteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge. The one or more uniquecharacteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge may include at leastone of a serial number of the fuel cartridge, date of manufacture of thefuel cartridge, date of assembly of the fuel cartridge, type of fuelcontained in fuel vessel, fuel capacity of the fuel cartridge, andnumber of refill operations the fuel cartridge has undergone.

In one embodiment, the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge may include adisplay to visually display information which is representative of theat least one operating parameter.

The power unit may include control circuitry to determine the at leastone operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge. Indeed,the control circuitry of the power unit may intermittently, continuouslyor periodically determine the at least one operating parameter of thehydrogen-based fuel cartridge and intermittently, continuously orperiodically store data which is representative of the at least oneoperating parameter in the memory of the fuel cartridge.

The refill unit may include control circuitry to determine the at leastone operating parameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge. In thisregard, the control circuitry of the refill unit may intermittently,continuously or periodically determine the at least one operatingparameter of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge and intermittently,continuously or periodically store data which is representative of theat least one operating parameter in the memory of the fuel cartridge.Where the at least one operating parameter is the amount ofhydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel, the controlcircuitry of the refill unit may determine the amount of hydrogen-basedfuel that is remaining in the fuel vessel using an amount of time thehydrogen-based fuel cartridge receives hydrogen-based fuel from refillunit. In addition or in lieu thereof, the control circuitry of therefill unit may determine the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that isremaining using data which is representative of the pressure andtemperature of the fuel in the fuel vessel. Notably, the at least oneoperating parameter may be, among other things, the amount ofhydrogen-based fuel that has been consumed from the fuel vessel.

In another principal aspect, the present invention is a hydrogen-basedfuel cell management system comprising a hydrogen-based fuel cartridgeto store hydrogen-based fuel, a power unit, coupled to thehydrogen-based fuel cartridge, to generate electrical power from thehydrogen-based fuel. In this aspect, the hydrogen-based fuel cartridgeincludes a fuel vessel adapted to store hydrogen-based fuel, a cartridgeinterface including a mechanical interface, a cartridge valve assembly,control circuitry, and memory to store data which is representative of aplurality of operating parameters of the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge.The power unit of this aspect of the invention includes a power unitinterface, including a mechanical interface to mechanically connect tothe mechanical interface of the cartridge interface, and a power unitvalve assembly to engage the cartridge valve assembly and to enablehydrogen-based fuel to flow from the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge tothe power unit. The power unit also includes a hydrogen-based fuel cell,coupled to the power unit valve assembly to receive the hydrogen-basedfuel from the fuel cartridge and to generate electrical power therefrom.

In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of operating parametersis the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is remaining in the fuelvessel. In another embodiment, at least one of the plurality ofoperating parameters is the rate of consumption of hydrogen-based fuelby the power unit.

The memory may store data which is representative of one or more uniquecharacteristics of hydrogen-based fuel cartridge and/or data which isrepresentative of general characteristics of hydrogen-based fuelcartridge. The one or more unique characteristics of hydrogen-based fuelcartridge includes at least one of a serial number of the fuelcartridge, date of manufacture of the fuel cartridge, date of assemblyof the fuel cartridge, type of fuel contained in fuel vessel, fuelcapacity of the fuel cartridge, and number of refill operations the fuelcartridge has undergone.

In one embodiment, the hydrogen-based fuel cartridge further includes adisplay to visually display information which is representative of oneor more of the plurality of operating parameters of the hydrogen-basedfuel cartridge.

In one embodiment, the power unit includes control circuitry tointermittently, continuously or periodically determine one or more ofthe plurality of operating parameters of the hydrogen-based fuelcartridge. The control circuitry of the power unit may intermittently,continuously or periodically store the data which is representative ofone or more of the plurality of operating parameters in the memory ofthe fuel cartridge.

Again, there are many inventions described and illustrated herein, aswell as many aspects and embodiments of those inventions. This Summaryof the Invention is not exhaustive of the scope of the presentinvention. Moreover, this Summary of the Invention is not intended to belimiting of the invention and should not be interpreted in that manner.While certain embodiments, features, attributes and advantages of theinventions have been described in this Summary of the Invention, itshould be understood that many others, as well as different and/orsimilar embodiments, features, attributes and/or advantages of thepresent inventions, which are apparent from the description,illustrations and claims, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the course of the detailed description to follow, reference will bemade to the attached drawings. These drawings show different aspects ofthe present invention and, where appropriate, reference numeralsillustrating like structures, components, materials and/or elements indifferent figures are labeled similarly. It is understood that variouscombinations of the structures, components, materials and/or elements,other than those specifically shown, are contemplated and are within thescope of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram representation of a portable fuel cell powerand management system, including a fuel cartridge and power unit,according to a first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram representation of a portable fuel cell powerand management system, including a fuel cartridge (rechargeable-type),power unit and refill unit, according to a second aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of selected mechanical elementsof a fuel cartridge according to one aspect of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively,of a fuel vessel of a fuel cartridge according to one aspect of oneembodiment of the present invention, including exemplary dimensions ofcertain aspects pertaining to the fuel vessel (see, FIG. 3B);

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of a fuel vessel of a fuel cartridgeaccording to one aspect of one embodiment of the present invention, inconjunction with the cartridge valve assembly and cartridge collarassembly;

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective exploded view of a poppet assembly,wherein the burst disc and retainer are separated from the remainingelements of the poppet assembly, according to one aspect of oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective assembled view of the exemplary poppetassembly of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of the exemplary poppet assembly of FIG.4B;

FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-section view of the exemplary poppetassembly of FIG. 4C sectioned along lines A-A;

FIG. 4E illustrates an end view (from the distal end) of the exemplarypoppet assembly of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective exploded view of a cartridge valveassembly, according to one aspect of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective assembled view of the exemplarycartridge valve assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of the exemplary cartridge valveassembly of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D illustrates a cross-section view of the exemplary cartridgevalve assembly of FIG. 5C sectioned along lines A-A, wherein thecartridge valve assembly is in the closed state;

FIG. 5E illustrates an end view (from the distal end) of the exemplarycartridge valve assembly of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary cartridge valveassembly of FIG. 5B, according to one aspect of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of certain components of theexemplary cartridge valve assembly of FIG. 6A when the valve is in aclosed state;

FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-sectional view of certain components of theexemplary cartridge valve assembly of FIG. 6A when the valve is in anopen state;

FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective exploded view of a cartridge valveassembly, according to another embodiment of an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective assembled view of the exemplarycartridge valve assembly of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C illustrates an end view (from the distal end) of the exemplarycartridge valve assembly of FIG. 7B;

FIG. 7D illustrates a side view of the exemplary cartridge valveassembly of FIG. 7B;

FIG. 7E illustrates a cross-section view of the exemplary cartridgevalve assembly of FIG. 7D sectioned along lines A-A, wherein thecartridge valve assembly is in the closed state;

FIG. 7F illustrates a cross-section view of the exemplary cartridgevalve assembly of FIG. 7D sectioned along lines A-A, wherein thecartridge valve assembly is in the open state;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an exploded perspective and a perspectiveview, respectively, of the fuel cartridge according to one embodiment ofan aspect of the present invention wherein the fuel cartridge includescartridge collar assembly;

FIGS. 9A and 10A illustrate exploded perspective views of the cartridgecollar assembly, according to one embodiment, in conjunction withportions of the cartridge interface, cartridge electronics and cartridgedisplay;

FIGS. 9B and 10B illustrate perspective views of the cartridge collarassembly, according to one embodiment, in conjunction with portions ofthe cartridge interface and cartridge display;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the electrical interface of thecartridge interface, according to one embodiment, in conjunction withthe cartridge collar assembly and a portion of the electrical interfaceof the power unit or refill unit (if applicable), wherein contacts ofthe power unit or refill unit engage the contact pads of the electricalinterface of the cartridge interface of the fuel cartridge;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the electrical interface, according toone exemplary embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the mechanical interface of thecartridge interface, according to one embodiment, in conjunction withthe cartridge collar assembly and a portion of the mechanical interfaceof the power unit or refill unit (if applicable);

FIG. 13A illustrates a perspective exploded view of certain componentsof the cartridge electronics and cartridge display of the fuelcartridge, according to one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13B illustrates a perspective assembled view of certain componentsof the exemplary cartridge electronics and cartridge display of FIG.13A;

FIG. 13C illustrates a side view of the exemplary cartridge electronicsand cartridge display of FIG. 13B;

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are schematic block diagrams of the cartridgeelectronics, in conjunction with the cartridge display, according toexemplary embodiments of one aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 14D, 14E and 14F are schematic block diagrams of the cartridgeelectronics according to other exemplary embodiments of one aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic representation of components of thecartridge electronics and cartridge display, according to anotherexemplary embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 16A illustrates a side, perspective view of a power unit having oneport to receive a fuel cartridge, in conjunction with and coupled to thefuel cartridge, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16B illustrates a front, perspective view of a port of the powerunit of FIG. 16A, wherein the port includes an electrical and mechanicalinterface to receive, engage and secure a fuel cartridge;

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D and 17E are schematic block diagrams of thepower unit electronics, in conjunction with the power unit display andthe electrical interface of the power cartridge (among other things),according to exemplary embodiments of aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 18A illustrates a perspective view of a refill unit, having fourrefill ports, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of an aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 18B illustrates a front, perspective view of a refill port of therefill unit of FIG. 18A;

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, and 19E are schematic block diagrams of therefill unit electronics, in conjunction with the electrical interface ofthe power cartridge (among other things), according to exemplaryembodiments of aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective partial cross-sectional view of acartridge valve assembly, including temperature sensor-relief portassembly, according to one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In oneaspect, the present invention is directed to a portable fuel cell powerand management system (for example, hydrogen and/or methanol basedsystems), components and/or elements thereof, as well as techniques forcontrolling and/or operating such systems. The fuel cell powermanagement system (and method of controlling and/or operating same)actively monitors, manages and/or controls one or more operatingparameter(s) of the fuel cell system. For example, the system monitors,manages and/or controls the consumption and/or the rate of consumptionof fuel by the system, and in response thereto, may provide and/or alertthe user to amount of fuel remaining, consumed, the rate of consumptionand/or the time (or estimation thereof remaining until all of the fuelis spent. In this way, the user may schedule or plan accordingly.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a fuel cartridge and apower unit. The fuel cartridge contains the fuel to be employed by thepower unit to generate electricity therefrom. The fuel cartridgeconnects to the power unit to provide the fuel to a fuel cell in or onthe power unit. In one embodiment, the fuel is hydrogen or methanol.However, the present invention may be implemented in conjunction withany fuel and fuel cell system, whether now known or later developed; assuch; all portable fuel cell type systems (whether rechargeable or not)are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. Notably,while this application is often couched in the context of a hydrogen ormethanol fuel, it is to be understood that the invention is applicableto other fuels and associated management systems.

As mentioned above, the fuel cell power management system (and method ofmonitoring, managing and/or controlling and/or operating same) of thepresent invention actively monitors, manages and/or controls one or moreoperating parameter(s) of the fuel cell system. These operatingparameters may be, for example, fuel consumption and/or rate thereof,temperature (of, for example, the fuel cartridge), pressure (of, forexample, the fuel in the fuel cartridge), electrical power consumption(including, for example, voltage and current generation by the powerunit and/or output thereby, and/or current consumption), and/or anymalfunctions or faults (for example, a fuel leak, mechanical, electricaland/or electronic interface fault) of the system, or components,elements and/or subsystems thereof.

Notably, the fuel cartridge and/or power unit may actively monitor,manages and/or controls one or more operating parameter(s) of the fuelcell system. In this regard, the fuel cartridge and/or power unit may beenabled and/or configured to monitor, manages and/or controls one ormore operating parameters of the fuel cell system. The monitoring,managing and/or control process assigned to the fuel cartridge and/orpower unit may be fixed, preset, predetermined, programmed and/orconfigurable (in situ or otherwise). In one embodiment, a user orexternal device (via wireless and/or wired communications) may enable,disable, program and/or configure the monitoring, management and/orcontrol operation(s) of the operating parameter(s) of the fuel cartridgeand/or power unit of the fuel cell system.

In another embodiment, the present invention also includes a refill unitto replenish and/or store fuel in the fuel cartridge. In this regard,the fuel cartridge may be connected to the refill unit to, periodically,intermittently and/or as needed, replenish and/or store fuel in astorage vessel of the fuel cartridge. The refill unit may, in additionto the fuel cartridge or in lieu thereof, may monitor, manage and/orcontrol one or more operating parameter(s) of the refill process.Indeed, in addition to the fuel cartridge and/or power unit (or in lieuthereof), the refill unit may be employed by the user or external deviceto enable, disable, program and/or configure the monitoring, manageand/or control of the operating parameter(s) of the other subsystems(for example, the power unit or fuel cartridge) of the fuel cell system.As such, in this embodiment, the fuel cell power and management systemis portable and rechargeable and the fuel cartridge, power unit and/orrefill unit may actively monitor, manage and/or control one or moreoperating parameter(s) of the fuel cell system.

With reference to FIG. 1A, in one embodiment, fuel cell power andmanagement system 10 of the present invention includes fuel cartridge100 and power unit 200. The fuel cartridge 100 includes cartridgeinterface 102 and cartridge valve assembly 104 that facilitatescommunication of fuel between fuel cartridge 100 and power unit 200. Thecartridge interface 102 includes a mechanical interface that “mates”with the interface of power unit 200. The cartridge valve assembly 104,in conjunction with the mechanical interface of cartridge interface 102,facilitates a controlled exchange of fuel from fuel cartridge 100 topower unit 200.

In one embodiment, fuel cartridge 100 also includes cartridgeelectronics 106 and cartridge display 108. The cartridge electronics 106includes circuitry to monitor, manage, control and/or store one or moreoperating parameter(s) of, for example, fuel cartridge 100. Thecartridge display 108, for example, an LCD or LED display, may beappropriately disposed on or in fuel cartridge 100 to facilitateexchange of information, for example, the status of the one or moreoperating parameter(s), from cartridge electronics 106 to a user oroperator. In this way, a user or operator may visually examine suchinformation. Notably, fuel cartridge 100 may include (in addition to orin lieu of cartridge display 108) an audible indicator (not illustrated)to audibly provide such information to the user or operator.

The power unit 200 includes power unit interface 202 and power unitvalve assembly 204 to securely engage or connect with fuel cartridge 100and receive fuel from fuel cartridge 100. The power unit interface 202includes a mechanical interface that “mates” with the mechanicalinterface of fuel cartridge 100. The power unit valve assembly 204facilitates a safe and controlled exchange of fuel from fuel cartridge100 to power unit 200.

In one embodiment, a hose or tubing may be inserted between fuelcartridge 100 and power unit 200 to facilitate fuel flow from fuelcartridge 100 to power unit 200. The hose or tubing may include theappropriate connection interfaces or be adapted to connect to theappropriate connection interfaces to thereby provide suitable fluid(and/or electrical) communication between fuel cartridge 100 and powerunit 200.

In one embodiment, power unit 200 also includes power unit electronics206 and power unit display 208. The power unit electronics 206 includescircuitry to monitor, manage, control and/or store one or more operatingparameter(s) of, for example, fuel cartridge 100 and/or power unit 200.

The power unit display 208, for example, an LCD or LED display, may beappropriately disposed on or in (for example, in a recessed manner)power unit 200 to permit a user or operator to obtain information, forexample, the status of the one or more operating parameter(s) of fuelcartridge 100 and/or power unit 200, from power unit electronics 206and/or fuel cartridge electronics 106. In this regard, the informationmay be calculated, determined and/or measured by power unit electronics206 and/or provided to power unit display 208 by fuel cartridgeelectronics 106 via the electrical interfaces of cartridge interface 102and power unit interface 202.

Notably, like power unit display 208, cartridge display 108 may providethe status of the one or more operating parameter(s) of fuel cartridge100 and/or power unit 200. In this regard, the information to bedisplayed may be calculated, determined and/or measured by fuelcartridge electronics 106, as mentioned above, and/or provided tocartridge display 108 by power unit electronics 206 via the electricalinterfaces of power unit interface 202 and cartridge interface 102. Inthis way, a user or operator may visually examine one or more operatingparameter(s) of fuel cartridge 100 and/or power unit 200) usingcartridge display 108 in addition to or in lieu of power unit display208.

As with fuel cartridge 100, power unit 200 may also include (in additionto or in lieu of power unit display 208) an audible indicator (notillustrated) to audibly provide one or more operating parameter(s) offuel cartridge 100 and/or power unit 200) to the user or operator.

The power unit 200 also includes fuel cell 210 to convert the fuelprovided by fuel cartridge 100 to electrical power. The fuel cell 210provides electrical power to an external device, for example, a cameraor computer, via an electrical interface of power unit electronics 206.Notably, in the context of a hydrogen based fuel cell, fuel cell 210generally includes an anode end for splitting hydrogen atoms intoelectrons and protons, a current bearing portion providing a pathway forthe electrons, a medium such as a proton exchange membrane providing apathway for the protons, and a cathode end for rejoining the electronsand protons into water molecules in the presence of oxygen. The fuelcell 210 will be discussed in considerably more detail below.

Fuel Vessel 110: With reference to FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, and 3C in oneembodiment, fuel cartridge 100 includes fuel vessel 110 for storingfuel, for example, hydrogen or methanol, at an elevated pressure. Thevessel 110 is preferably designed to be a cylinder having a thicknessthat is sufficient to withstand typical pressures at which theparticular fuel is stored. For example, in the context of hydrogen,cartridge 100 may typically store hydrogen at a pressure up to 5,500pounds per square inch (PSI). The nominal operating pressure of fuelvessel 110 containing hydrogen is about 250 PSI with the maximumoperating pressure of about 600 PSI, with a nominal test pressure ofabout 2,200 PSI and a nominal burst pressure of 5,100 PSI.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, in one embodiment, thematerial of fuel vessel 110 is aluminum such as 6061 aluminum. Thevessel 110 is of a conventional shape including a necked-down area 112that has internal threads 114 that act as a securing element forcartridge valve assembly 104.

The fuel vessel 110 also includes a collar-attaching mechanism 116,illustrated as threads. The collar-attaching mechanism 116 facilitatesconnecting cartridge collar assembly 118 to fuel vessel 110 viareciprocal threads of cartridge collar assembly 118 and the threads ofcollar-attaching mechanism 116. (See, FIG. 3C). As discussed in detailbelow, cartridge collar assembly 118 is a mechanism to attach cartridgeelectronics 106 and cartridge display 108 to fuel vessel 110.

In the case of a hydrogen based fuel cell system, within chamber 110 aof fuel vessel 110 will be particles of hydride material, not shown,that absorbs hydrogen to aid in the storage of hydrogen and/or enhancethe capacity of storage of hydrogen in vessel 110.

Cartridge Valve Assembly 104: The cartridge valve assembly 104 thatallows a controlled exchange of fuel, in the form of a fluid, from fuelcartridge 100 to power unit 200. The cartridge valve assembly 104 may besecurely fixed to fuel vessel 110 via threads that mate with internalthreads 114 of fuel vessel 110. (See, for example, FIG. 3C). Inoperation, cartridge valve assembly 104 includes at least two states,including a first or activated state, whereby fuel may flow either outof or into chamber 110 a of fuel cartridge 100. In a second or inactivestate, cartridge valve assembly 104 prevents or prohibits fuel flow and,as such the fuel is contained within chamber 110 a. The cartridge valveassembly 104 includes valve seal 128 which is designed to prevent fluidleakage from chamber 110 a of fuel cartridge 100. (See, for example,FIG. 3C).

Notably, fuel flows out of fuel cartridge 100 when, for example, fuelcartridge 100 is employed as a fuel source for power unit 200. In theevent that fuel cartridge 100 is rechargeable, fuel may flow into fuelcartridge 100 when, for example, fuel cartridge 100 is being filled orrefilled (for example, periodically, intermittently, or as needed).

With reference to FIGS. 3C and 4A-4D, in one embodiment, cartridge valveassembly 104 includes poppet assembly 122. The poppet assembly 122includes a distal end 122 a and a proximal end 122 b. In operation, theposition of flange 124, relative to cartridge valve assembly 104,permits the flow of gas (i.e., flow around flange 124). In thisembodiment, flange 124 is multisided, including at least one flat side124 a around the edge of flange 124. Notably, the number of sides may beany number but is generally greater than two. In the illustrativeembodiment, flange 124 includes three flat sides along with three curvedsides 124 b. Notably, other designs are suitable and will be apparent toone of skill in the art, in view of this description. For example,notched, scalloped and/or drilled hole designs may be implemented.

The poppet assembly 122 further includes an internal fluid passage 126.In this illustrative embodiment, internal fluid passage 126 extends thelength of poppet assembly 122. Other designs of internal fluid passage126 are suitable and will be apparent to one of skill in the art, inview of this description. Indeed, other embodiments of internal fluidpassage 126 are discussed below.

The poppet assembly 122 may also include sealing ring 128 to enhance orprovide a sufficient seal when poppet assembly 122 is disposed incombination with the other elements of cartridge valve assembly 104.

A fluid conduit 126 a extends from internal fluid passage 126 to theexternal surface at distal end 122 a of poppet assembly 122. A burstdisc 130 is located at proximal end 122 b of poppet assembly 122 and isretained in place by retainer 130 a which may be specifically designedor suitable for burst disc 130. Notably, burst disk 130 and retainer 130a may be separate components or may be manufactured as a unitarycomponent. The retainer 130 a fits onto proximal end 122 b of poppetassembly 122 by means of threads that reciprocate with the internalthreads on retainer 130 a or other means apparent to one of skill in theart in view of this description. (See, FIG. 4A). A “circle” of soldermay be disposed on burst disk 130 and retainer 130 a is fitted onto thethreads at proximal end 122 b of poppet assembly 122 and thereafterheated to further secure burst disk 130 and retainer 130 a to proximalend 122 b of poppet assembly 122. The burst disk 130 may also be securedby crimping in place the retainer 130 a to the proximal end 122 b ofpoppet assembly 122.

Notably, burst disk 130 may also function as a pressure relief device.In this regard, burst disk 130 may be designed to open at a presetpressure and close when the pressure drops below a predeterminedpressure. In one embodiment, burst disc 130 may be rated at a certainpounds per square inch rating which is less than the rating for fuelvessel 110 (illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C). Generally, burst disc 130 maybe rated from 500-3,000 lbs. per square inch.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-5E, cartridge valve assembly 104 furtherincludes valve assembly housing 132 having distal end 132 a and aproximal end 132 b. An assembly housing cavity 134 extends the length ofelongate valve assembly housing 132. The valve assembly housing 132includes a radially extending flange 136 located at distal end 132 a ofhousing 132. The external surface 132 c of valve assembly housing 132includes threads for securing cartridge valve assembly 104 to fuelvessel (via internal threads 114 as illustrated in FIG. 3C). An internalshoulder in valve assembly housing 132 restricts internal cavity 134 tofacilitate secure “seating” and/or placement of sealing ring 128 ofpoppet assembly 122.

The cartridge valve assembly 104 further includes spring 138 that fitsagainst poppet assembly 122 and pushes against flange 124. A fastener140 a, illustrated in this example as a snap ring, fits against washer140 b and spring 138 to retain the washer-spring poppet assembly andsealing ring 128 within housing cavity 134 of valve assembly housing132. Once the snap ring is in place, multi-sided flange 124 fits againstthe shoulder of valve assembly housing 132 with sealing ring 128positioned to seal the internal section of cartridge valve assembly 104.

A particle filter 142 maybe positioned at proximal end 132 b (whenassembled) of valve assembly housing 132 designed to maintain and/orretain any particulate matter that is in cavity 110 a of fuel vessel110. The particle filter 142 allows fuel in the form of a fluid (forexample, hydrogen or methanol), to flow through while retaining anysolids inside vessel 110 (for example, hydride).

Notably, one or more sealing rings 144 (144 a and 144 b in FIG. 7A) maybe positioned inside distal end 132 a of housing cavity 134 to enhancethe integrity of cartridge valve assembly 104 when combined with theother components of fuel cartridge 100. In this way, the seal of thefuel or fluid path between fuel cartridge 100 and power unit 200 (orrefill station 300 if applicable), when engaged or connected, isenhanced.

With reference to FIG. 6B, in operation, cartridge valve assembly 104 isin the closed state when flange 124 of poppet assembly 122 and sealingring 128 are pushed against the internal shoulder of housing cavity 134by spring 138. In this condition, fuel (i.e., fluid) contained inchamber 110 a of fuel cartridge vessel 110 is prevented from flowinginto chamber 110 a or out of chamber 110 a. The proximal end 132 b fitsinside vessel 110. The particle filter 142 located, positioned anddesigned to allow fluid flow but prevent and/or minimize any particulatematter from escaping vessel 110.

With reference to FIG. 6C, cartridge valve assembly 104 is in an openstate (whereby fluid may flow into or out of chamber 110 a) when flange124 of poppet assembly 122 and sealing ring 128 (i.e. at distal end 122a of poppet assembly 122) are forced or pushed away from the internalshoulder of housing cavity 134. In this way, a void 146 forms betweenflange 124/sealing ring 128 and the internal shoulder of housing cavity134 thereby allowing fluid or fuel (for example, hydrogen) to flow underpressure (into or out of chamber 110 a) between particle filter 142,internal cavity 134 of housing 132, spring 138, around gap 148 into void146 and through fluid conduit 126 a to internal fluid passage 126.

Notably, in operation, distal end 122 a of poppet assembly 122 is pushedby pins (not illustrated) of power unit 200 or refill unit 300 thatprotrude into cartridge valve assembly 104 on a front surface of flange136. This action or operation will be described and illustrated indetail below.

The cartridge valve assembly may be implemented using many differentdesigns. Such alternative designs are intended to fall within the scopeof this invention. Indeed, all types of cartridge vale assemblies areintended to fall within the scope of this invention.

Notably, many modifications may be made to the exemplary cartridge valveassembly of FIGS. 4A-4E, 5A-5E and 6A-6C. Such modifications areintended to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example,with reference to FIGS. 7A-7C, in one alternative design, cartridgevalve assembly 104 includes poppet assembly 122 having an internal fluidpassage that is closed by cap 150 so that the passage does not extendthe entire length of poppet assembly 122, but the passage stillcommunicates with fluid conduit 126 a. In addition a flange or shoulder152 is located at distal end 122 a of poppet assembly 122.

The cartridge valve assembly 104 of this embodiment also includes spring154 that fits over tip 150 of poppet assembly 122. The spring 154 isdesigned to be a “weaker” spring than spring 138 and, as such, spring154 tends to compress before and at a greater rate than spring 138. Whenassembled, cap 158 a fits over spring 154 and snap ring 156 fits aroundspring 154.

With reference to FIGS. 7E and 7F, because spring 138 is stronger thanspring 154, the closed state or position will be the natural position ornon-enabled state taken by cartridge valve assembly 104. In this regard,in operation, spring 138 will push or force poppet assembly 122 thatsealing ring 128 lodges against the shoulder of valve assembly housing132 thereby effectively preventing any flow of fluid through housingcavity 134.

With reference to FIG. 7F, cartridge valve assembly 104 is placed in anopen state when front surface 158 b of cap 158 a of cartridge valveassembly 104 is engaged by a pin or stub component (not illustrated) ofeither power system 200 or refill unit 300 (as discussed in detailbelow) via housing cavity 134 at distal end 132 a of valve assemblyhousing 132. In response, spring 154 is compressed and forces or pushescap 158 a to bottom out on snap ring 156 of valve assembly 104. Inaddition, the pin or stub component (not illustrated) has a furtherextension or finger that extends from its tip and is of a diameter thatwill extend through an opening on front surface 158 b of cap 158 a. Theforce against cap 158 a and tip 150 is sufficient to move poppet valve122 to a position as illustrated in FIG. 7F. In this way, fluid (forexample, gas) from cartridge valve assembly 104 flows through passage148 and out void 146 into housing cavity 134 at distal end 132 a ofvalve assembly housing 132.

In operation, when fuel cartridge 100 is connected to power unit 200and/or refill unit 300, cartridge valve assembly 104 is automaticallyopened by connection at the interface of unit 200 and/or refill unit300. In this regard, a male-type extension on the interface of powerunit 200 and/or refill unit 300 engages a female-type receptacle ofmechanical interface 102 b of fuel cartridge 100 at a distal end 132 aof cartridge valve assembly 104 to engage, activate and/or push poppetassembly 122 from a closed position or state (see, for example, FIGS. 6Band 7E) to an open position or state (see, for example, FIGS. 6C and7F). When mechanical interface 102 b is disconnected from the mechanicalinterface of power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300, cartridge valveassembly 104 automatically closes to thereby seal and/or retain thefluid/fuel in vessel 110 and maintain an appropriate pressure of thefuel in fuel cartridge 100.

In particular, a pin or stub component of power unit valve assembly 204or refill unit valve assembly 304 (discussed below with respect to powerunit 200 and refill unit 300, respectively) having two segments, onethat is positioned against the top of cap 158 a and a finger orextension that fits through the opening on front surface 158 b of cap158 a, several advantages may be gained, including: (1) the valve isprotected from dirt, etc. by the presence of cap 158 a; (2) cap 158 a isdesigned to be of such a distance that even if it is pushed down byforeign object such as a pen tip, the tip of the pen does not contactpoppet tip 150; and (3) even if a sharp item such as a paper clip wereinserted into valve 104 there would not be sufficient leverage oncontacting the rounded poppet tip 150 to open it (thereby presentingsafety feature against the improper discharge of fuel).

Cartridge Collar Assembly 118: The cartridge collar assembly 118 is amechanism that secures or attaches cartridge interface 102, cartridgeelectronics 106 and cartridge display 108 to fuel vessel 110. Withreference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, in one embodiment, cartridge collarassembly 118 is attached to necked-down area 112 of fuel vessel 110. Theelectrical interface 102 a, mechanical interface 102 b and display arefixed on, in and/or to cartridge collar assembly 118 to facilitatecommunication to other components of fuel cell power and managementsystem 10. In addition, an opening in cartridge collar assembly 118exposes cartridge valve assembly 104, when secured to fuel vessel 110,to allow fluid communication between cartridge valve assembly 104 and,for example, power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300.

It should be noted that there are many techniques and architectures tosecure cartridge interface 102, cartridge electronics 106 and/orcartridge display 108 (or any other components) to fuel vessel 110. Thecartridge collar assembly 118 illustrated and described herein is anexemplary technique/architecture that is a compact, lightweight andefficient design. It is intended that all techniques and architecturesto secure cartridge interface 102, cartridge electronics 106 and/orcartridge display 108 (and/or any other components) to fuel vessel 110of fuel cartridge 100, whether now known or later developed, fall withinthe scope of the present invention. Indeed, in those instances where oneor more of such components need not be fixed to, for example, fuelvessel 110, in order to provide a unitary and/or integrated fuelcartridge 100, cartridge collar assembly 118 may not be necessary and/oradvantageous.

With reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, in one embodiment, cartridgeinterface 102, cartridge electronics 106 and cartridge display 108 aredisposed on, in and/or to cartridge collar assembly 118. In this regard,cartridge display 108 may be a visual display of information (forexample, an LCD or LED device) that provides or affords the user oroperator the ability to view, for example, various parameters of fuelcartridge 100 and/or other units of fuel cell power and managementsystem 10. A protective cover or membrane 108 a may be disposed overcartridge display 108. In addition, contact switch 108 b (for example, acontact button) may be employed to activate cartridge display 108 inthose instances where display 108 is not continuously “on” (for example,when fuel cartridge 100 is in a “power saver” mode and/or when fuelcartridge 100 is idle).

In one embodiment, power source 160 (for example, a battery) may beemployed to provide power to, for example, the circuitry of cartridgeelectronics 106 and cartridge display 108. The power source 160 may bedisposable, non-renewable or renewable. A cover plate 162 protects thebattery from damage, secures power source 160 to or in cartridge collarassembly 118 and, in the context of a battery, facilitates removal andreplacement thereof. In addition, battery compression pad 162 a may beemployed to maintain power source 160 in the appropriate position aswell as ensure or enhance sufficient electrical contact between powersource 160 and other circuitry of fuel cartridge 100.

With reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, electrical interface 102 aincludes circuit board 164 (illustrated in this exemplary embodiment asa ring printed circuit board) to provide electrical interconnectionbetween the circuitry of fuel cartridge 100. The circuit board 164 maybe fitted with a plurality of electrical contact points (illustrated aselectrical contact pads 166) to facilitate electrical communication todevices external to fuel cartridge 100. In the exemplary embodiment,there are three equally spaced distances around circuit board 164. Acircuit board cover 164 a, having suitably located “cut-out” areas oropenings 164 b is fitted so that contacts 166 are exposed when circuitboard cover 164 a is disposed on circuit board 164.

Moreover, electrical contact pads 166 (of electrical interface 102 a)are disposed and located on circuit board 164 and externally exposed viaopenings in cartridge collar assembly 118. (See, for example, FIG. 11B).In this way, contact pins of electrical interface 202 a and 302 a ofpower unit 200 and refill unit 300, respectively, may engage electricalcontacts 166 to provide suitable electrical communication and/orconnection therebetween. (See, for example, FIGS. 11A, 16B and 18B).

In this embodiment, circuit board 164 includes three sets of contactpads 166 at three positions or locations on circuit board 164. (See, forexample, FIG. 11B). These positions or locations are consistent with orconform to the mating operation of the mechanical interfaces of powerunit 200 and refill unit 300. However, one skilled in the art, in viewof this disclosure, will recognize that one set of contact pads 166 issufficient to provide electrical communication between fuel cartridge100 and power unit 200 (or refill unit 300).

In one embodiment, contact pads 166 are gold plated for easy contact.For safety considerations, a ground first contact arrangement may beadvantageous; however, other arrangements are suitable.

Notably, a retention ring may be attached to an adapter guide usingscrews, detent springs and balls. The adapter guide and the retentionring may be press fit within cartridge collar assembly 118, and then“sandwiched” between fuel vessel 110 and cartridge collar assembly 118.In this way, various components (for example, circuit board 164 andcircuit board cover 164 a) may be securely housed and/or retained withincartridge collar assembly 118.

As mentioned above, fuel cartridge 100 also includes mechanicalinterface 102 b to “mate” with the mechanical interface of power unit200 or refill unit 300 (for example, when fuel cartridge 100 is arechargeable-type) to facilitate a controlled, continuous and/oruninterrupted exchange of fuel from fuel cartridge 100 to power unit 200(or to fuel cartridge 100 from refill unit 300, if applicable). In oneembodiment, mechanical interface 102 b is disposed in cartridge collarassembly 118 to provide a relatively compact design that facilitatesattachment of fuel cartridge 100 (and, in particular, fuel vessel 110and cartridge valve assembly 104) to, for example, power unit 200 orrefill unit 300. (See, for example, FIGS. 12, 16B and 18B). An adapterguide 168, which is part of cartridge mechanical interface 102 b, may befitted into cartridge collar assembly 118 to aid in securing in fuelcartridge 100 to power unit 200 or refill unit 300.

With reference to FIG. 12, cartridge mechanical interface 102 b includesa female-type receptacle to engage a male-type mechanical interface 202b and mechanical interface 302 b of power unit 200 and refill unit 300,respectively. Although discussed in detail below, the exemplarymale-type mechanical interface includes an “ear” having a beveled edgethat fits into the recess of the female-type receptacle mechanicalinterface 102 b. The “ear”, and in particular the beveled edge, isdesigned to meet with a shoulder of the female-type receptaclemechanical interface 102 b. Thereafter, an approximate quarter turnsecures fuel cartridge 100 into power unit 200 or refill unit 300. Thisinterface design requires little twisting motion and force to securefuel cartridge 100 into power unit 200 or refill unit 300 and isdesigned to be oriented at any one of three positions. As such, thisdesign prevents push back of fuel cartridge 100 by mechanically engagingthe female-type receptacle of mechanical interface 102 b before openingcartridge valve assembly 104 of fuel cartridge 100.

Notably, mechanical interface 102 b of fuel cartridge 100 includesseveral elements that facilitate a “smooth” interface of fuel cartridge100 with power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300. In this regard,mechanical interface 102 b, in this embodiment, is a “female-typereceptacle” that cooperates with cartridge valve assembly 104 of fuelcartridge 100. The mechanical interface 102 b is designed to receive amale extension of power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300, as illustratedin FIG. 12. The female-type receptacle of mechanical interface 102 bprovides a way to align, insert, captivate, and retain fuel cartridge100 in power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300. Moreover, the design ofmechanical interface 102 b also facilitates the actuation of cartridgevalve assembly 104 to permit or prevent the flow of fluid in or out offuel cartridge 100.

As discussed in more detail below, associated with the female-typereceptacle of mechanical interface 102 b is a male-type extension ofmechanical interface 202 b of power unit 200 and/or mechanical interface302 b of refill unit 300. (See, for example, FIG. 12). The male-typeextension mechanical interface 202 b of power unit 200 and/or mechanicalinterface 302 b of refill unit 300 is designed to engage female-typereceptacle of mechanical interface 102 b of fuel cartridge 100 toprovide a means for the alignment, insertion, captivation, and retentionof fuel cartridge 100 therein.

Electrical Interface 102 a and Cartridge Electronics 106: With referenceto FIGS. 11B, 13A-13C, in one exemplary embodiment, cartridge display108 and cartridge electronics 106 are mounted on circuit board 164. Thecircuit board 164 includes electrical traces to interconnect the variouscomponents, including cartridge display 108, cartridge electronics 106and electrical interface 102 a.

The connector 170, shown as a 4-circuit connector, is located on theunderside of circuit board 164. The connector 170 may be employed to,among other things, test various components and features of cartridgedisplay 108 and cartridge electronics 106 are mounted on circuit board164.

The power source contact 172 engages power source 160 (for example, abattery) to provide a suitable voltage and current to the circuitry andcomponents interconnected by the electrical traces on circuit board 164.

With reference to FIG. 14A, in one embodiment, cartridge electronics 106includes control circuitry 174 to determine, monitor, manage and/orcontrol one or more operating parameters of fuel cartridge 100, powerunit 200 and/or fuel cell power and management system 10. The controlcircuitry 174 may be a combination of discrete components or may be anintegrated circuit(s), for example, one or more suitably programmed(whether in situ or prior to deployment) microprocessors,microcontrollers, state machines and/or field programmable gate arrays(“FPGAs”). The control circuitry 174 receives electrical power frompower source 160 (for example, a rechargeable or non-rechargeablebattery).

In one embodiment, cartridge electronics 106 also includes memory 176,for example, SRAM, DRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM and/or EEPROM. In thisembodiment, data or information representative of one or more operatingparameters and/or microcode may be stored in, for example, an SRAM,DRAM, ROM or EEPROM. The data or information representative of one ormore operating parameters may include a current status and/or historicaldata. It should be noted that memory 176 may be comprised of discretecomponent(s) or may reside on or in an integrated circuit that performsother non-memory operations, for example, control circuitry 174.

In one embodiment, cartridge memory 176 may store or retain one or moreattributes of the associated fuel cartridge 100. For example, cartridgememory 176 may store data that uniquely identifies the associated fuelcartridge 100 (for example, an associated serial number, date ofmanufacture and/or assembly, data pertaining to the supplier of one ormore components of fuel cartridge 100, fuel capacity, number of refills(if applicable) and dates thereof, revision or series ofelectronics/software, and/or type of fuel) and/or more generallyidentifies the associated fuel cartridge 100 (for example, modelnumber). Moreover, cartridge memory 176 may also include a fillingalgorithm for cartridge 100. In this way, when cartridge 100 isconnected to refill unit 300 or power unit 200, cartridge memory 176 mayhave available the unique and general characteristics (for example,capacity and type of fuel) of cartridge 100 to be provided to power unit200, refill unit 300 (if applicable) or a user/operator, which canconfirm, verify or ensure proper operation and integration.

As mentioned above, control circuitry 174 may determine, monitor, manageand/or control one or more operating parameters, for example, the amountof fuel remaining and/or consumed, the rate of fuel consumption, thetemperature and pressure of the fuel in fuel vessel 110 a, temperatureof the exterior of fuel vessel 110 a, and the operating status of fuelcartridge 100 (for example, whether any faults or errors have beenregistered). For example, control circuitry 174 may calculate, determineand/or monitor the amount of fuel remaining and/or consumed, as well asthe rate of fuel consumption, based on an amount of time fuel cartridge100 has been connected to and providing fuel to power unit 200 and/orconnected to and receiving fuel from refill unit 300 (where fuelcartridge 100 is a rechargeable type). This status may be periodicallyupdated and/or stored in memory 176 for access by, for example, powerunit 200 and/or refill unit 300.

With reference to FIG. 14B, in addition to, or in lieu thereof, controlcircuitry 174 may receive, sample and/or acquire data from sensors 178(for example, temperature, pressure and/or flow rate type sensors)disposed on, in or near cartridge vessel 110 a, cartridge valve assembly104, and/or cartridge interface 102. The control circuitry 174 mayemploy data from sensors 178 to calculate one or more operatingparameters of fuel cartridge 100 using mathematical relationships and/ormodeling. For example, control circuitry 174 may obtain data which isrepresentative of the temperature and pressure of the fuel in fuelcartridge vessel 110 a and, based thereon, calculate/estimate the amountof fuel consumed from and remaining in fuel cartridge vessel 110 a.Indeed, control circuitry 174 may obtain data which is representative ofthe flow rate of fluid through cartridge valve assembly 104 and, usingtime data, calculate the amount of fuel remaining in fuel cartridgevessel 110 a and amount of time until all fuel is spent from fuelcartridge 100.

The sensors 178 may be discrete elements, such as one or more microelectromechanical (“MEMS”) devices, or sensors that are integrated intocartridge vessel 110 a, cartridge valve assembly 104, and/or cartridgeinterface 102, or into components thereof (for example, one or moretemperature elements integrated into and disposed within the walls ofcartridge vessel 110 a or in valve assembly housing 132). Notably, anytype of sensor (for example, MEMS), whether now known or laterdeveloped, may be implemented herein.

In one embodiment, control circuitry 174 may receive instructions and/ordata from circuitry external to fuel cartridge 100, for example, from auser or an operator via an external device (computer or PDA), and/orfrom power unit 200 or refill unit 300. In this regard, controlcircuitry 174 may be instructed to, for example, determine, measure,sample one or more operating parameters, and thereafter control and/ormanage the operation of fuel cartridge 100 and/or power unit 200 (forexample, adjust and/or modify the rate of fuel consumption and/or thetemperature of the exterior of fuel vessel 110 a (and indirectly thetemperature of the fuel in fuel vessel 110 a) by engaging a cooling unitdisposed on power unit 200.

In one embodiment, control circuitry 174 provides and/or communicatesthe measured, sampled, sensed and/or determined operating parameter(s)to power unit 200, refill unit 300 and/or a user or an operator. Forexample, control circuitry 174 may determine the state of fill or amountof fuel remaining in fuel vessel 110 a (using the techniques describedabove) and, thereafter, provide data which is representative of thatoperating parameter to power unit 200. In response, power unit 200 mayadjust one or more of its operating parameters, for example, reduce therate of power/fuel consumption.

Alternatively, an operator or a user (or external device) may receivedata which is representative of the state of fill or amount of fuelremaining in fuel vessel 110 a from fuel cartridge 100 and, in responsethereto, modify or change the operating characteristics of power unit200 (directly or remotely). In this way, one or more operatingparameters (for example, reduce the fuel consumption and/or electricalpower output/generation, or engage a cooling unit to influence thetemperature of fuel vessel 110 a) may be modified and/or changed.

The modification or change to the operating characteristics of powerunit 200 may be preset, predetermined and/or pre-programmed. In thisway, the response is present, predetermined and/or pre-programmed basedon the conditions, operating characteristics and/or operating parametersof power unit 200 and/or fuel cartridge 100. Alternatively, or inaddition thereto, instructions defining the modification or change tothe operating characteristics may be transmitted or provided by theoperator, user or external device (for example, the user determines theappropriate modification or change based on one or more considerations,factors, constraints and/or objectives).

With reference to FIG. 14C, such instructions and/or data may bereceived or transmitted via communication circuitry 180. In this regard,communication circuitry 180 may employ well known wired (for example, aserial input/output port) and/or wireless techniques (for example,infrared, radio frequency, cellular phone, bluetooth techniques).Indeed, the instructions and/or data may be provided remotely viawireless techniques. Notably, any communication technique, whether nowknown or later developed, is intended to fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

In one embodiment, communication circuitry 180 may be employed totransmit data and/or commands to power unit 200, refill unit 300 and/orother external devices (for example, to a local or remote computer). Thedata may be representative of one or more operating parameters (thatwere measured, sampled, sensed by sensors 178 and/or determined bycontrol circuitry 174) such as temperature, pressure, rate of fuelconsumption by power unit 200, and/or amount of remaining fuel in fuelcartridge 100. The data may also be representative of the overall statusof fuel cartridge 100. As mentioned above, communication circuitry 180may employ wired or wireless techniques.

With reference to FIG. 14D, in another embodiment, cartridge electronics106 includes memory 176 to store and/or retain data provided by powerunit 200, refill unit 300 and/or circuitry external to system 10. Inthis embodiment, power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300 (whereapplicable) may, among other things, determine, monitor and/or controlone or more operating parameters, for example, the amount of fuelremaining and/or consumed, the rate of fuel consumption and/or thetemperature and pressure of the fuel in fuel vessel 110 a. The powerunit 200 and/or refill unit 300 (where applicable) may periodically orintermittently store data which is representative of the one or moreoperating parameters in memory 176. In this way, the status of the fuelcartridge (for example, the amount of fuel remaining) is retained withinthe fuel cartridge's memory (i.e., memory 176) so that it may beavailable for recall by power unit 200, refill unit 300 and/or circuitryexternal to system 10. Notably, it may be advantageous to includecommunication circuitry 180 in order to facilitate access to memory 176.(See, for example, FIG. 14E).

Notably, control circuitry 174 performs or executes routines or programsthat implement particular tasks and/or operations described herein. Thefunctionality of the routines or programs may be combined ordistributed. Such programming is well known to those skilled in the art,particularly in view of this disclosure. All programming techniques, andimplementations thereof, to determine, monitor, manage and/or controlone or more operating parameters and/or characteristics of fuelcartridge 100, power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300, whether now knownor later developed, are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

With reference to FIG. 15, in one embodiment, control circuitry 174 is amicrocontroller integrated circuit having EEPROM resident therein. Thepower source 160, in this embodiment, is a battery that provideselectrical power to the circuitry/devices of cartridge electronic 106(for example, microcontroller) and cartridge display 108 (for example,an LCD or LED display). Where an LCD display is implemented, it may beadvantageous to include a backlight 108 c which provides suitablelighting when the ambient light may not be sufficient. The contactswitch 108 b enables backlight 108 c. That is, when contact switch 108 bis depressed, backlight 108 c will illuminate the LCD display.

Exemplary Assembly of Fuel Cartridge 100: In those instances where fuelcartridge employs a hydride material, after fabrication of fuel vessel110, an appropriate hydride material may be disposed therein. Suchmaterial is well known in the art. Thereafter, cartridge valve assembly104 may be inserted and secured to vessel 110 via internal threads 114and corresponding threading 132 c on valve assembly housing 132. (See,for example, FIG. 8A). The cartridge collar assembly 118 may be securedto vessel 110 via collar-attaching mechanism 116 (for example, byscrewing collar assembly 118 onto cartridge vessel 110).

Thereafter or before, cartridge electronics 106 may be configured todetermine, monitor, manage and/or control one or more operatingparameters of fuel cell power and management system 10 (for example, tocharacterize the state of fill of fuel cartridge 100). For example,cartridge electronics 106 may be configured to determine, monitor,manage and/or control one or more operating parameters in situ (i.e., inthe field or when deployed).

Power Unit 200: In one aspect of the invention, fuel cell power andmanagement system 10 includes power unit 200 to generate electricityusing fuel stored in and provided from fuel cartridge 100. The powerunit 200 includes an interface and valve assembly that connects to ormates with corresponding components of one or more fuel cartridge(s)100. In this way, the fuel (for example, hydrogen or methanol) stored infuel vessel 110 is supplied, under pressure, to power unit 200 whichgenerates electricity therefrom.

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 16B, in one embodiment, power unit 200includes power unit interface 202 and power unit valve assembly 204which are configured to connect to or mate with fuel cartridge 100. Thepower unit 200 also includes power unit electronics 206 and power unitdisplay 208. Briefly, power unit electronics 206 includes circuitry todetermine, monitor, control and/or store one or more operatingparameter(s) of, for example, fuel cartridge 100 and/or power unit 200.The power unit display 208, for example, an LCD or LED display, may beconveniently located on housing 212 to facilitate observation by and/orexchange information with a user, for example, the status of the one ormore operating parameter(s), from cartridge electronics 106 and/or powerunit electronics 206 to a user or an operator. In this way, a user or anoperator may, for example, view data which is representative of thestatus of the one or more operating parameter(s) of fuel cartridge 100and/or power unit 200 (for example, the amount of fuel remaining and/orconsumed, the rate of fuel consumption, the temperature and pressure ofthe fuel in fuel vessel 110 a, and the operating status of fuelcartridge 100, for example, any faults or errors therein).

Notably, power unit 200 may include (in addition to or in lieu ofdisplay 208) an audible indicator (not illustrated) to audibly provideinformation which is representative of status of the one or moreoperating parameter(s), to the user or operator.

The power unit 200 also includes fuel cell 210. The fuel cell 210employs that fuel (for example, hydrogen, hydride or methanol) togenerate electricity. The fuel cell 210 includes a fuel cell stack. Thefuel cell stack described and illustrated in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/328,709, filed Dec. 24, 2002 (which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety), may be implemented in fuel cell 210 ofpower unit 200. Moreover, the fuel cell stacks and fuel cell stacktechnology described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,683,828;5,858,567; 5,863,671; and 6,051,331; and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. U.S. 2002/0022170A1 (all of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety) may also be implemented in fuelcell 210 (with or without modification). There are many designs,architectures and modes of operation of fuel cell stacks and fuel cellstack technology. Indeed, all fuel cell stacks, whether now known orlater developed, are intended to fall with in the scope of the presentinvention.

Notably, a particularly preferred fuel cell power system is the one thatis described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/328,709, filed Dec.24, 2002, which, as mentioned above, is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety. Briefly, this application describes, among otherthings, a forced air fuel cell system in which an air moving deviceconfigured to direct atmospheric air towards the cathode end of theplurality of fuel cells is positioned and thus convectively cools thefuel cell as it supplies atmospheric air to the cathode end which aidsin the generation of electricity.

With reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, in one embodiment, power unit 200includes a housing having cartridge port 214 to receive fuel cartridge100. The power unit 200 of this embodiment secures or is connected(electrically and/or mechanically) to an external device (notillustrated) that receives electrical power from (and generated by)power unit 200.

The electrical interface 202 a and mechanical interface 202 b of powerunit interface 202 are disposed in cartridge port 214. The electricalinterface 202 a is designed to connect with electrical interface 102 aof fuel cartridge 100. In particular, in one embodiment, electricallyconductive contact pins 216 of electrical interface 202 a, which isdisposed on housing 212, engage contacts 166 of electrical interface 102a. (See, for example, FIG. 11A). In this way, control circuitry 174and/or memory 176 of cartridge electronics 106 may communicate (forexample, provide data which is representative of one or more operatingparameter(s) and/or determine, monitor, manage and/or control one ormore operating parameter(s)) with, for example, power unit electronics206 (control circuitry (if any) and/or memory (if any)) and/or powerunit display 208.

Notably, in this illustrative embodiment, power unit 200 includes onlyone cartridge port 214 to receive one fuel cartridge 100. As mentionedabove, however, power unit 200 may include a plurality of cartridgeports 214 to accommodate and receive more than one fuel cartridge 100.

The contact pins 216 are preferably a miniature pogo pin style with asignificant cycle life, for example, more than 100,000 cycles. In oneembodiment, electrical interface 202 a includes five pins to provide aplurality of electrical signals, including power and ground, athermistor sensor output signal, and data via a serial interface. Thecartridge electronics 106 and power unit electronics 206 are designed tobe “on” when a fuel cartridge 100 is in power unit 200.

Notably, a triplicate contact pad configuration of fuel cartridge 100 isprovided to support multi-orientation insertion and ease of operation inconjunction with electrically conductive contact pins 216. As such,contact pins 216 may engage any one of the three contact pads onelectrical interface 102 a of fuel cartridge 100.

The mechanical interface 202 b is designed to hold, retain and engage atleast one fuel cartridge 100. In this way, power unit valve assembly 204may connect to provide fluid communication from fuel cartridge 100 tofuel cell 210 (and in particular the fuel cell stack of fuel cell 210).With continued reference to FIG. 16B, mechanical interface 202 bincludes a male-type interface to engage the female-type receptacle ofcartridge mechanical interface 102 b of fuel cartridge 100. Theexemplary male-type mechanical interface includes an “ear” or tab 220having a beveled edge 220 a that fits into the recess of the female-typereceptacle mechanical interface 102 b. (See, for example, FIG. 12). Thebeveled edge 220 a of tab 220 meets with a shoulder of the female-typereceptacle mechanical interface 102 b. Thereafter, an approximatequarter turn secures fuel cartridge 100 into power unit 200. Notably,this design prevents push back of fuel cartridge 100 by mechanicallyengaging the female-type receptacle of mechanical interface 102 b beforeopening cartridge valve assembly 104 of fuel cartridge 100.

With continued reference to FIG. 16B, while mechanical interface 202 bengages mechanical interface 102 b of fuel cartridge 100, (see, forexample, FIG. 12), actuating pin 222 engages (for example, pushes)distal end 122 a of poppet assembly 122 by protruding into cartridgevalve assembly 104 on a front surface of flange 136 (see, for example,FIGS. 7E and 7F). As mentioned above, this action or operation placescartridge valve assembly 104 in an open state. Once fuel cartridge 100is securely in place in power unit 200, fuel is then allowed to flowfrom cartridge 100 to power unit 200 to allow fuel cell 210 to operate.

Notably, power unit 200 includes a conduit that extends from power unitvalve assembly 204 to fuel cell 210. The power unit valve assembly 204includes a valve, having a regulator that is connected to the conduit toregulate pressure and/or control the flow of fuel to the fuel cell stackof fuel cell 210. The regulator selects and regulates fuel pressureincluding parameters for feeding fuel contained in fuel cartridge 100 tothe fuel cell stack. Accordingly, while fuel may be capable of flowing,under pressure, after fuel cartridge 100 is securely in place in powerunit 200, the regulator in power unit valve assembly 204 regulates thepressure of fuel feed to the fuel cell 210.

With reference to FIG. 17A, in one embodiment, power unit electronics206 includes control circuitry 224 to determine, monitor, manage and/orcontrol one or more operating parameters of fuel cartridge 100, powerunit 200 and/or fuel cell power and management system 10. The controlcircuitry 224 may be implemented and/or configured like controlcircuitry 174 of fuel cartridge 100. Accordingly, the discussionpertaining to the features, implementation, embodiments, operation andconfiguration of control circuitry 174 is fully applicable to controlcircuitry 224; that is, control circuitry 224 may be implemented orconfigured in the same or similar manner, and/or perform the same orsimilar operations as control circuitry 174. For the sake of brevity,those discussions will not be repeated but will be summarized below inconnection with control circuitry 224.

The control circuitry 224 determines, monitors, manages and/or controlsone or more operating parameters, for example, the amount of fuelremaining and/or consumed, the rate of fuel consumption, the temperatureand pressure of the fuel in fuel vessel 110 a, temperature of theexterior of fuel vessel 110 a, and the operating status of fuelcartridge 100 (for example, whether any faults or errors have beenregistered) and/or the operating status of power unit 200. In oneembodiment, control circuitry 224 may calculate, determine and/ormonitor the amount of fuel remaining in fuel cartridge 110, as well asthe rate of fuel consumption, using information pertaining to the amountof time fuel cartridge 100 is connected to and providing fuel to powerunit 200.

In addition to, or in lieu thereof, control circuitry 224 may receive,sample and/or acquire data from sensors 178 and/or sensors 230 (forexample, temperature, pressure and/or flow rate type sensors) disposedon, in or near cartridge vessel 110 a, cartridge valve assembly 104and/or power unit valve assembly 204. (See, for example, FIG. 17B). Thecontrol circuitry 224 may employ data from sensors 178 and/or sensors230 to calculate one or more operating parameters using mathematicalrelationships and/or modeling. For example, control circuitry 224 mayobtain data which is representative of the temperature and pressure ofthe fuel in fuel cartridge vessel 110 a and, based thereon,calculate/estimate the amount of fuel consumed from and/or remaining infuel cartridge vessel 110 a. Indeed, control circuitry 224 may obtaindata which is representative of the flow rate of fluid through fuelcartridge valve assembly 104 and, using time data, calculate the amountof fuel remaining in fuel cartridge vessel 110 a and amount of timeuntil all fuel is spent from fuel cartridge 100.

Notably, control circuitry 224 may be a combination of discretecomponents or may be an integrated circuit(s), for example, one or moresuitably programmed (whether in situ or prior to deployment)microprocessors, microcontrollers, state machines and/or FPGAs.

In one embodiment, power unit electronics 206 also includes memory 226,for example, SRAM, DRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM and/or EEPROM. In this way,data or information which is representative of one or more operatingparameters and/or microcode (used by control electronics 224) may bestored in, for example, an SRAM, DRAM, ROM or EEPROM. The data orinformation representative of one or more operating parameters mayinclude a current status and/or historical data. It should be noted thatmemory 226 may be comprised of discrete component(s) or may reside on orin an integrated circuit that performs other non-memory operations, forexample, control circuitry 224.

With reference to FIG. 17B, sensors 230 may be discrete elements, suchas one or more micro electromechanical (“MEMS”) devices, or sensors thatare disposed near cartridge vessel 110 a, and/or disposed in power unitvalve assembly 204, and/or cartridge interface 202, or into componentsthereof (for example, one or more temperature elements integrated intoand disposed in the housing of valve assembly 204).

In one embodiment, control circuitry 224 may receive instructions and/ordata from, for example, a user or an operator. In this regard, controlcircuitry 224 may be instructed to, for example, determine one or moreoperating parameters, and thereafter control and/or manage the operationof fuel cartridge 100 and/or power unit 200 (for example, adjust and/ormodify the rate of fuel consumption and/or the temperature of theexterior of fuel vessel 110 a (and indirectly the temperature of thefuel in fuel vessel 110 a) by engaging a cooling unit disposed on powerunit 200). In this way, the efficiency and/or control of system 10 isenhanced.

In one embodiment, control circuitry 224 provides and/or communicatesthe measured, sampled, sensed and/or determined operating parameter(s)to a user or an operator. For example, control circuitry 174 may acquiredata from sensors 178 and/or sensors 230 and thereafter determine thestate of fill or amount of fuel remaining in fuel vessel 110 a. Thecontrol circuitry 224 may provide data which is representative of thatoperating parameter to the user or operator. In response, the user oroperator may adjust one or more of the operating parameters of powerunit 200, for example, reduce the amount of power/fuel consumptionand/or reduce or adjust the output power of fuel cell 210.

Alternatively, an operator or a user (or external device) may receivedata which is representative of the state of fill or amount of fuelremaining in fuel vessel 110 a from control circuitry 224 (as calculatedtherein) and, in response thereto, instruct power unit 200 to modify orchange its operating characteristics (directly or remotely), forexample, reduce the fuel consumption and/or electrical poweroutput/generation, or engage a cooling or a heating unit to influencethe temperature of fuel vessel 110 a (for example, in those instanceswhere the temperature of the fuel during operation may not be suitableand/or optimum). The modification or change to the operating parametersof power unit 200 may be preset, predetermined and/or pre-programmed.The modification or change may also be in accordance with instructionstransmitted or provided to control circuitry 224 (for example, the userdetermines the appropriate modification or change based on one or moreconsiderations, factors, constraints and/or objectives).

With reference to FIG. 17C, such instructions and/or data may bereceived or transmitted via communication circuitry 228. In this regard,communication circuitry 228 may employ well known wired (for example, aserial input/output port) and/or wireless techniques (for example,infrared techniques). Indeed, the instructions and/or data may beprovided remotely via wireless techniques.

In one embodiment, communication circuitry 228 may be employed totransmit data and/or commands to power unit 200, refill unit 300 and/orother external devices (for example, to a local or remote computer). Thedata may be one or more operating parameters (that were measured,sampled, sensed by sensors 178 and/or determined by control circuitry224) such as temperature, pressure, rate of fuel consumption by powerunit 200, and/or amount of remaining fuel in fuel cartridge 100. Thedata may also be representative of the overall status of power unit 200and/or fuel cartridge 100.

Notably, it may be advantageous, from a cost and weight perspective, toimplement control circuitry in either fuel cartridge 100 or power unit200—but not both. For example, with reference to FIG. 17D, in oneembodiment, power unit 200 includes power unit electronic 206 asdescribed above, (see, for example, FIGS. 17A, 17B and/or 17C), and fuelcartridge 100 includes memory 176 (see, for example, FIGS. 14D and 14E)to store and/or retain data provided by power unit electronics 206. Inthis embodiment, control circuitry 224 may, among other things, monitorone or more operating parameters, for example, the amount of fuelremaining and/or consumed, the rate of fuel consumption, the temperatureand pressure of the fuel in fuel vessel 110 a, temperature of theexterior of fuel vessel 110 a, and/or the operating status of fuelcartridge 100 (for example, whether any faults or errors have beenregistered). The control circuitry 224 may periodically orintermittently store data which is representative of the one or moreoperating parameters in memory 176. In this way, the status of the fuelcartridge (for example, the amount of fuel remaining) is retained withinthe fuel cartridge's memory (i.e., memory 176) so that it may beavailable for recall by power unit 200 (for example, another power unit200 that has no “history” of the status of a given fuel cartridge 100)and/or refill unit 300.

The control circuitry 224 may also determine, monitor, manage and/orcontrol other characteristics or operations of power unit 200, forexample, thermal management, fuel leak detection, fuel purge,over-current protection and/or voltage regulation. In this regard,control circuitry 224 may receive information representative of thetemperature of one or more elements of power unit 200 (for example, fuelcell 210) and in response thereto adjust and/or manage the operation ofpower unit 200 (for example, adjust the rate of fuel consumption and/orgeneration of electricity).

The sensors 230 may include fuel leak sensors to provide data of thestatus of the integrity of the fuel path (i.e., whether a leak ispresent) to control circuitry 224. In response thereto, controlcircuitry 224 may alert the user/operator of the leak (or possible leak)and/or may safely terminate operation of power unit 200.

Alternatively, control unit 224 may, based on data from sensors 230,determine the existence of a (or potential) fuel leak. The controlcircuitry 224 may employ various techniques, which are well known tothose skilled in the art, to assess whether there is a fuel leak. Again,control circuitry 224 may alert the user/operator of the leak (orpossible leak) and/or may immediately and safely terminate operation ofpower unit 200.

The control circuitry 224 may also monitor the status of over-currentprotection and/or voltage regulation to assess the status of the powergeneration by fuel cell 210. In one embodiment, control circuitry 224may receive information representative of the current consumption and/orvoltage levels from sensors 230 that provide information pertaining tothe generation of electricity and/or consumption thereof. In response,control circuitry 224 may appropriately manage and/or control theoperation of power unit 200.

Notably, control circuitry 224 may perform or execute routines orprograms that implement particular tasks and/or operations describedherein. The functionality of the routines or programs may be combined ordistributed. Such programming is well known to those skilled in the art,particularly in view of this disclosure. All programming techniques, andimplementations thereof, to determine, monitor, manage and/or controlone or more operating parameters and/or characteristics of fuelcartridge 100 and/or power unit 200, whether now known or laterdeveloped, are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

Refill Unit: With reference to FIG. 1B, in one embodiment, fuel cellpower and management system 10 include, in addition to fuel cartridge100 and power unit 200, refill unit 300. In this regard, in thoseinstances where fuel cartridge is a refillable type, fuel cartridge maybe filled with fuel (for example, hydrogen, methanol or other hydrogencontaining compound) after some or all of the fuel is depleted from fuelcartridge 100 (for example, consumed by power unit 200) using refillunit 300.

In one embodiment, refill unit 300 includes refill unit interface 302,refill unit valve assembly 304, refill unit electronics 306 and refillunit display 308 (for example, a 24 character by two line LCD device).Briefly, with reference to FIG. 1B, in one embodiment, refill unitinterface 302 and refill unit valve assembly 304 are configured toconnect to or mate with associated or corresponding components of fuelcartridge 100. (See, for example, FIGS. 11A and 12). The configuration,architecture and design of refill unit interface 302 and refill unitvalve assembly 304 may be the same as power unit interface 202 and powerunit valve assembly 204, respectively. For the sake of brevity thatdiscussion will not be repeated.

The refill unit 300 may be a stand alone table top or wall mounteddevice, which may be installed, for example, at a facility or in avehicle and thereby provide refilling capabilities for one or more fuelcartridges 100. With reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B, in one embodiment,refill unit 300 includes one or more refill ports 310 (four refill portsare illustrated) to accommodate one or more fuel cartridges 100. Asmentioned above, refill unit 300, in operation, replenishes one or moredepleted fuel cartridges 100 and returns fuel cartridges 100 to a morefilled state or a completely refilled state for use in power unit 200.

In those instances where refill unit 300 includes more than one refillport 310, each refill port 310 may function and/or may be operatedindependently of the other ports. In this way, fuel cartridges 100having different fuel fill and/or capacity conditions may be returned toa more filled or completely refilled state independently. Moreover, fuelcartridges 100 may be randomly installed in refill ports 310.

The refill port 310 includes an independent solenoid valve for providingfluid or fuel shutoff when not in use and a switch to sense whether afuel cartridge 100 is inserted. The solenoid/switch combination permitsrandom access to any refill port 310, semi-automatic initiation andtermination of the refilling operation and provides positive fluidsupply shutoff. It may be advantageous to maintain refill unit 300 in aposition whereby fuel cartridges 100 are in a mostly horizontalorientation with respect to the center axis of fuel vessel 110 a. Inthis way, it may prevent the introduction of foreign matter into thearea of valve assembly 304 and refill port 310 and reduce and/orminimize possible malfunction or damage to the components in and nearrefill port 310 as a result of such foreign matter.

In one embodiment, refill unit 300 includes main fuel/fluid input port314 to connect to a primary compressed fuel source (for example, a “K”bottle size tank). The main fuel/fluid input port 314 may be located onan outer surface of housing 312 to facilitate connection to the primarycompressed fuel source. The main fuel/fluid input port 314 may providelocal pressure regulation, for example, 250 PSI, and include a fluidshutoff to isolate the input of the primary compressed fuel source fromrefill unit 300 and/or fuel cartridge 100. Moreover, main fuel/fluidinput port 314 may also provide passive overpressure protection toprevent inadvertent overpressure exposure to refill unit 300 and/or fuelcartridge 100 which may be disposed therein.

Notably, refill unit 300 may also include an auxiliary fuel/fluid outputport 316 to facilitate expansion and operation of one or more additionalrefill units 300 without site modification (for example, modification ofplumbing on the large fuel tank supporting refill unit 300 toaccommodate additional refill units 300). The auxiliary fuel/fluidoutput port 316 may be located and/or mounted on an outer surface ofhousing 312 for connection to one or more additional refill units 300(not illustrated). In this way, a series of fluid connection may bedaisy chained from one refill unit to another and connected to one largefuel tank supply (for example, a “K” bottle size tank).

The refill unit 300 may include one or more input pressure regulators toaccept low pressure regulated gas from a high pressured tank, a normallyclosed main shut off solenoid valve with over pressure protection, and agas distribution manifold to provide fluid to each of the plurality ofrefill ports 310. A plurality of solenoid valves may be employed toprovide shutoff capabilities to each refill port 310 when in use.Notably, in one embodiment, the plurality of electrical pins may be usedto sense the presence of a fuel cartridge 100 in a given refill port310.

In one embodiment, it may be advantageous to include a ventilation orcooling unit 318 (for example, active or passive type unit) to removeheat from fuel cartridge 100 which is produced or generated during therefill operation. In this regard, controlling the temperature of one ormore fuel cartridges 100 during the refill process may increase theefficiency of refill and thereby reduce the refill time. For example,cooling unit 318 may employ one or more cooling circulation fans thatare appropriately located to remove heat from one or more fuelcartridges 100 while connected to refill unit 300 and being re-filled.

Notably, refill unit 300 may include a heating unit (not illustrated) toaccommodate those instances where the temperature during the refilloperation may not be suitable and/or optimum. In this regard, theheating unit may apply heat to the fuel cartridge 100 to, for example,increase the efficiency of the refill operation and thereby reduce therefill time.

The refill unit 300 may be electrically powered using a number oftechniques including an unregulated external AC wall/desk transformerconnected to the DC Power Input Port located on an outer surface ofhousing 312, a battery, and/or a fuel cell that employs the same fuelused to replenish one or more fuel cartridges 100. In one embodiment, amaximum preferred voltage output required from a transformer will be 12Volts Direct Current (VDC). Notably, all techniques for powering refillunit 300 are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, refill unit electronics 306 includes user interface320 to facilitate monitoring, managing and controlling the refilloperation. In this regard, user interface 320 may include a plurality ofbutton switches, and a plurality of bi-color LEDs 322, having multiplecolor capabilities (for example, orange/green color capabilities forindicating refilling (orange) or filled (green)), for each refill port310. The bi-color LEDs 322 may be disposed in a region associated with acorresponding refill port 310 to reflect the state of the refilloperation. (See, for example, FIG. 18B).

Moreover, it may be advantageous for user interface 320 to include abi-color LED 322 (for example, red/green color) to reflect or indicatethe power state of refill unit 300. In this regard, power “on” may beindicated by green and power on alarm may be indicated by red.

The user interface 320 also permits the user or operator to select,program and/or set various functions to be accomplished by refill unit300. For example, the user or operator may initiate fuel cartridgerefill cycles, enable and/or set alarm limits, clear alarms,enable/disable the audible alarm, and monitor fuel sensor activity usinginterface 320.

The refill unit electronics 306 may be enabled to monitor the internalenvironment of refill unit 300 and/or one or more fuel cartridges 100disposed in refill ports 310. For example, refill unit electronics 306may measure the internal temperature of refill unit 300 (using internalambient temperature sensor) or measure, detect or receive data which isrepresentative of the temperature of one or more fuel cartridges 100disposed in refill ports 310. In response to the temperature exceeding apredetermined value or limit, refill unit electronics 306 may enablecooling unit 318. In addition, refill unit electronics includes one ormore gas detection sensors (for example, hydrogen detection sensors).Under these circumstances, in the event of a leak, refill unitelectronics 306 may sense a concentration of fuel that exceeds apredetermined limit. In the event an alarm is triggered, an appropriatealarm message may be displayed on refill unit display 308. In additionto or in lieu thereof, an audible alarm may sound.

Notably, one or more input/output (I/O) port may be located on anoutside surface of housing 310 of refill unit 300. The I/O port(s) maybe employed by the user or operator to enable certain functions,operations, programming and/or testing of refill unit 300.

Notably, where fuel cartridge 100 include hydride-type fuel, it may beadvantageous to operate fuel cell power and management system 10 betweentemperatures of about 30° F. to 125° F. (0° C.-+52° C.) and relativehumidity of 10% to 95%. Although the various components of fuel cellpower and management system 10 may be exposed to storage and/oroperating environments in excess of these ranges, appropriatesupplementary protection measures may be employed under thoseconditions.

With reference to FIG. 19A, in one embodiment, refill unit electronics306 includes control circuitry 324 to determine, monitor, manage and/orcontrol one or more operating parameters of fuel cartridge 100, refillunit 300 and/or fuel cell power and management system 10. The controlcircuitry 324 may be implemented and/or configured like controlcircuitry 174 of fuel cartridge 100 or like control circuitry 224 ofpower unit 200. Accordingly, the discussion pertaining to the features,implementation, embodiments, operation and configuration of the controlcircuitry of fuel cartridge electronics 106 and/or power unitelectronics 206 is fully applicable to control circuitry 324; that is,control circuitry 324 may be implemented or configured in the same orsimilar manner, and/or perform the same or similar operations as controlcircuitry 174 and/or control circuitry 224. For the sake of brevity,those discussions will not be repeated but will be summarized inconnection with control circuitry 324.

The control circuitry 324 of refill unit electronics 306 may determine,monitor, manage and/or control one or more operating parameters, forexample, the amount of fuel remaining in fuel vessel 110 a, thetemperature and pressure of the fuel in fuel vessel 110 a, temperatureof the exterior of fuel vessel 110 a, and/or the operating status offuel cartridge 100 (for example, whether any faults or errors have beenregistered). In one embodiment, control circuitry 324 may calculate,determine and/or monitor the amount of fuel in fuel cartridge 110, basedon data in memory 176, the flow rate of fuel in valve assembly 104and/or 304, and/or an amount of time fuel cartridge 100 has beenconnected to refill unit 300.

With reference to FIGS. 19B and 19C, in addition to, or in lieu thereof,control circuitry 324 may receive, sample and/or acquire data fromsensors 178 and/or sensors 330 (for example, temperature, pressureand/or flow rate type sensors) disposed on, in or near cartridge vessel110 a, refill unit valve assembly 304, and/or refill unit interface 302.The control circuitry 324 may employ data from sensors 178 and/orsensors 330 to calculate one or more operating parameters usingmathematical relationships and/or modeling. For example, controlcircuitry 324 may obtain data which is representative of the temperatureand pressure of the fuel in fuel cartridge vessel 110 a and, basedthereon, calculate/estimate the amount of fuel in fuel cartridge vessel110 a. This information may be employed to determine a time required torefill fuel cartridge vessel 110 a.

Moreover, in response to data which is representative of the temperatureof the fuel in fuel cartridge vessel 110 a (for example, from sensors178 or sensors 330), control circuitry 324 may engage cooling unit 318of refill unit 300. The cooling unit 318 (for example, a fan, heat sink,thermoelectric device or refrigeration unit) may be employed to removeheat from fuel cartridge vessel 110 a during the refilling process. Inthis way, the efficiency of the refill process may be enhanced and thetime required therefore, reduced.

In one embodiment, refill unit electronics 306 also includes memory 326,for example, SRAM, DRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM and/or EEPROM. The memory 326may store data or information representative of one or more operatingparameters and/or microcode (used by control electronics 324) may bestored in, for example, an SRAM, DRAM, ROM or EEPROM. It should be notedthat memory 326 may be comprised of discrete component(s) or may resideon or in an integrated circuit that performs other non-memoryoperations, for example, control circuitry 324.

With reference to FIGS. 19B and 19C, sensors 330 may be discreteelements, such as one or more micro electromechanical (“MEMS”) devices,or sensors that are integrated into refill unit valve assembly 304,and/or refill unit interface 302, or into components thereof (forexample, one or more temperature elements integrated into and disposedwithin the walls of valve assembly 304).

In one embodiment, control circuitry 324 may receive instructions and/ordata from, for example, a user or an operator. In this regard, controlcircuitry 324 may be instructed to, for example, measure, sample and/orsense one or more operating parameters, and thereafter control and/ormanage the operation of fuel cartridge 100 and/or refill unit 300 (forexample, adjust and/or modify the rate of refill of fuel and/or thetemperature of the exterior of fuel vessel 110 a (and indirectly thetemperature of the fuel in fuel vessel 110 a) by engaging cooling unit318).

In one embodiment, control circuitry 324 provides and/or communicatesthe measured, sampled, sensed and/or determined operating parameter(s)to a user or an operator. For example, control circuitry 324 mayinstruct sensors 178 or sensors 330 to measure, sample, sense and/ordetermine the state of fill or amount of fuel remaining in fuel vessel110 a. Thereafter, control circuitry 324 may provide data which isrepresentative of the operating parameter to the user and/or providedata which is representative of the anticipated refill time. Inresponse, the user or operator may instruct refill unit 300 to modify orchange one or more of its operating characteristics (directly orremotely), for example, increase/decrease the flow rate of fuel intovessel 110 and/or engage cooling unit 318 to influence the temperatureof the fuel in fuel vessel 110 a.

Notably, the modification or change to the operating parameters ofrefill unit 300 may be preset, predetermined and/or pre-programmed.Alternatively, the modification or change may be in accordance withinstructions transmitted or provided with the instructions (for example,the user determines the appropriate modification or change based on oneor more considerations, factors, constraints and/or objectives).

In one embodiment, memory 176 may store and/or retain data provided bypower unit electronics 206 and refill unit electronics 306, for example,data which is representative of one or more operating parameters such asthe state of fill of fuel cartridge 100. (See, for example, FIGS. 14D,14E and 19D). In this regard, control circuitry 324 may, among otherthings, monitor one or more operating parameters, for example, theamount of fuel remaining in fuel vessel 110 a. The control circuitry 324may periodically or intermittently store data which is representative ofthe one or more operating parameters in memory 176. In this way, thestatus of the fuel cartridge (for example, the amount of fuel remaining)is retained within the fuel cartridge's memory (i.e., memory 176) sothat it may be available for recall by power unit 200 and/or refill unit300.

Notably, control circuitry 324 may perform or execute routines orprograms that implement particular tasks and/or operations describedherein. The functionality of the routines or programs may be combined ordistributed. Such programming is well known to those skilled in the art,particularly in view of this disclosure. All programming techniques, andimplementations thereof, to determine, monitor, manage and/or controlone or more operating parameters and/or characteristics of fuelcartridge 100, power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300, whether now knownor later developed, are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

Indeed, control circuitry 324 may also determine, monitor, manage and/orcontrol other operations or characteristics of refill unit 300, forexample, fuel leak detection and/or fuel purge. In this regard, sensors330 may include fuel leak sensors to provide data of the status of theintegrity of the fuel path (i.e., whether a leak is present) to controlcircuitry 324. In response thereto, control circuitry 324 may alert theuser/operator of the leak (or possible leak) and/or may safely terminateoperation of refill unit 300.

Alternatively, control unit 324 may, based on data from sensors 330,determine the existence of a (or potential) fuel leak. The controlcircuitry 324 may employ various techniques, which are well known tothose skilled in the art, to assess whether there is a fuel leak. Again,control circuitry 324 may alert the user/operator of the leak (orpossible leak) and/or may immediately and safely terminate operation ofrefill unit 300.

Notably, control circuitry 324 may perform or execute routines orprograms that implement particular tasks and/or operations describedherein. The functionality of the routines or programs may be combined ordistributed. Such programming is well known to those skilled in the art,particularly in view of this disclosure. All programming techniques, andimplementations thereof, to determine, monitor, manage and/or controlone or more operating parameters and/or characteristics of fuelcartridge 100, power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300, whether now knownor later developed, are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. Whilecertain embodiments, features, materials, configurations, attributes andadvantages of the inventions have been described and illustrated, itshould be understood that many other, as well as different and/orsimilar embodiments, features, materials, configurations, attributes,structures and advantages of the present inventions that are apparentfrom the description, illustration and claims (are possible by oneskilled in the art after consideration and/or review of thisdisclosure). As such, the embodiments, features, materials,configurations, attributes, structures and advantages of the inventionsdescribed and illustrated herein are not exhaustive and it should beunderstood that such other, similar, as well as different, embodiments,features, materials, configurations, attributes, structures andadvantages of the present inventions are within the scope of the presentinvention.

For example, it is therefore desirable to develop a hydrogen fuel cellelectricity generation device capable of supplying electricity for alonger period of time than conventional batteries. It is also desirableto develop a standardized hydride storage cartridge that can readily beprovided and secured to a fuel cell system to supply hydrogen forconversion to electricity and to be provided and secured to a hydrogenrefill unit to be rapidly refilled with hydrogen. It is furtherdesirable to provide a hydrogen cartridge that provides a relativelyaccurate readout of its state-of-fill so that a user knows how muchenergy is available from the hydrogen cartridge.

In addition, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art in view ofthis disclosure that a fuel cartridge 100 may be integrated into theintegrated modular BSP/MEA/manifold plates and compliant contacts forfuel cells as described in International Publication No. WO02/19451A2,which is incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, the fault tolerantfuel cell network power system of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/382,549 filed Mar. 5, 2003 may also be modified in accordance withthe teachings of this invention to include fuel cartridge 100 of thisinvention into the system described therein. For the sake of brevity,those discussions will not be repeated. Indeed, another fuel cell systemin which a hydride cartridge and other accessories may be integratedinto is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/402,726 filedMar. 28, 2003. These U.S. patent applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Moreover, many modifications may be made to cartridge valve assembly.All such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, with reference to FIG. 20, in oneembodiment, temperature sensor-relief port assembly 194 may beintegrated and/or incorporated into valve assembly housing 132 ofcartridge valve assembly 104. The temperature sensor-relief portassembly 194 is designed to provide passage 192 from fuel vessel cavity110 a (and thereby relieve unacceptable pressure that may develop infuel vessel cavity 110 a) by melting or evaporating plug 194 which iscomprised of a temperature sensitive material. In one embodiment, plug194 is comprised of a solder based material that melts well before thepressure within fuel vessel cavity 110 a reach dangerous or unacceptablelimits.

In addition, control circuitry 174 may also determine, monitor, manageand/or control other operations or characteristics of fuel cartridge100, for example, fuel leak detection and/or fuel purge. In this regard,sensors 178 may include fuel leak sensors to provide data of the statusof the integrity of the seal by cartridge valve assembly 104 and/or fuelvessel 110 to control circuitry 174. In response thereto, controlcircuitry 174 may alert the user/operator of the leak (or possible leak)and/or may safely terminate operation of fuel cartridge 100 and/or powerunit 200 or refill unit 300 (if applicable).

Alternatively, control unit 174 may, based on data from sensors 178, 230and/or 330 to determine the existence of a (or potential) fuel leak. Thecontrol circuitry 178 may employ various techniques, which are wellknown to those skilled in the art, to assess whether there is a fuelleak. Again, control circuitry 178 may alert the user/operator of theleak (or possible leak) and/or may immediately and safely terminateoperation of fuel cartridge 100 and/or power unit 200 or refill unit 300(if applicable).

The above embodiments of the present invention are merely exemplaryembodiments. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinventions to the precise forms, techniques, materials and/orconfigurations disclosed. Many modifications, permutations andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example,fuel cartridge 100, power unit 200 and/or refill unit 300 may or may notinclude a one or more electrical or mechanical components such as, forexample, a display unit. (See, FIGS. 14E, 17D and 19D). Thus, it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and operationalchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinventions. As such, the foregoing description of the exemplaryembodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes ofillustration and description. Many modifications and variations arepossible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scopeof the invention not be limited solely to this detailed description.

Notably, optional interconnections in the illustrations are representedin a dashed line format.

It should be further noted that the term “circuit” may mean, among otherthings, a single component or a multiplicity of components (whether inintegrated circuit form or otherwise), which are active and/or passive,and which are coupled together to provide or perform a desired function.The term “circuitry” may mean, among other things, a circuit (whetherintegrated or otherwise), a group of such circuits, one or moreprocessors, one or more state machines, one or more processorsimplementing software, or a combination of one or more circuits (whetherintegrated or otherwise), one or more state machines, one or moreprocessors, and/or one or more processors implementing software. Theterm “data” may mean, among other things, a current or voltage signal(s)whether in an analog or a digital form.

1-48. (canceled)
 49. A hydrogen fuel storage unit for use in ahydrogen-based power generation system, wherein the hydrogen-based powergeneration system includes a power unit which is adapted to engage thehydrogen fuel storage unit and generate electrical power usinghydrogen-based fuel therefrom, the hydrogen fuel storage unitcomprising: a fuel vessel to store hydrogen-based fuel; a plurality ofinterfaces, including: a mechanical interface adapted to engage areciprocal mechanical interface of the hydrogen-based power generationsystem; an electrical interface adapted to engage a reciprocal interfaceof the hydrogen-based power generation system, the electrical interfaceincluding a power portion and a data portion; and a fluid interfaceadapted to engage a reciprocal interface of the hydrogen-based powergeneration system; a mounting fixture attached to the fuel vessel; andmemory, attached to the mounting fixture, to store data which isrepresentative of an operating parameter of the fuel vessel such thatwhen the hydrogen fuel storage unit is disengaged from the power unit,the memory retains data which is representative of the operatingparameter of the fuel vessel.
 50. The hydrogen fuel storage unit ofclaim 49 further including an electrical power consuming device which iscoupled to the power portion of the electrical interface.
 51. Thehydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 50 further including: a printedcircuit substrate, attached to the mounting fixture, wherein the memoryis disposed on or in the printed circuit substrate; and a visualdisplay, electrically coupled to the memory to display information whichis representative of the operating parameter of the fuel vessel usingdata provided thereto by the memory.
 52. The hydrogen fuel storage unitof claim 49 wherein the fluid interface includes a valve assembly havinga pressure or temperature sensitive relief mechanism integrated withinthe valve assembly.
 53. The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 52wherein the pressure or temperature sensitive relief mechanism includesa port disposed in the valve assembly wherein the port includes atemperature or pressure responsive material disposed therein.
 54. Thehydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 49 wherein the data portion of theelectrical interface receives the data which is representative of theoperating parameter of the fuel vessel.
 55. The hydrogen fuel storageunit of claim 49 further including a battery, disposed in or on themounting fixture and electrically coupled to the memory, to provideelectrical power to the memory when the hydrogen fuel storage unit isdisengaged from the power unit.
 56. The hydrogen fuel storage unit ofclaim 49 further including: a visual display electrically coupled to thememory to display information which is representative of the operatingparameter of the fuel vessel using data provided thereto by the memory;and a battery, electrically coupled to the memory and the visualdisplay, to provide electrical power to the memory and the display whenthe hydrogen fuel storage unit is disengaged from the power unit. 57.The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 56 further including controlcircuitry, electrically coupled to the battery and the visual display,to control the operation of the visual display.
 58. The hydrogen fuelstorage unit of claim 57 wherein the control circuitry, in response to auser input, instructs the memory to provide data which is representativeof the operating parameter of the fuel vessel to the visual display. 59.A hydrogen fuel storage unit for use in a hydrogen-based powergeneration system, wherein the hydrogen-based power generation systemincludes a power unit which is adapted to engage the hydrogen fuelstorage unit and generate electrical power using hydrogen-based fueltherefrom, the hydrogen fuel storage unit comprising: a fuel vessel tostore hydrogen-based fuel; a plurality of interfaces, including: amechanical interface adapted to engage a reciprocal mechanical interfaceof the hydrogen-based power generation system; an electrical interfaceadapted to engage a reciprocal interface of the hydrogen-based powergeneration system, the electrical interface including a power portionand a data portion; and a fluid interface adapted to engage a reciprocalinterface of the hydrogen-based power generation system; a mountingfixture attached to the fuel vessel; and memory, disposed in or on themounting fixture, to store data which is representative of the amount offuel in the fuel vessel such that (1) when the hydrogen fuel storageunit is engaged with the power unit, the memory receives electricalpower from the power portion of the electrical interface, and (2) whenthe hydrogen fuel storage unit is disengaged from the power unit, thememory retains data which is representative of the amount of fuel in thefuel vessel.
 60. The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 59 wherein themounting fixture is a collar-like structure that is fixed around anexternal surface of the fuel vessel.
 61. The hydrogen fuel storage unitof claim 59 further including: a visual display, attached to themounting fixture and electrically coupled to the memory, to provideinformation which is representative of the amount of hydrogen-based fuelthat is in the fuel vessel; and a battery, electrically coupled to thevisual display, to provide electrical power to the visual display atleast when the hydrogen fuel storage unit is disengaged from the powerunit.
 62. The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 59 wherein theelectrical interface includes a plurality of sets of a plurality ofelectrical contacts wherein each set of the plurality of electricalcontacts is a complete electrical interface.
 63. The hydrogen fuelstorage unit of claim 62 wherein each set of the plurality of electricalcontacts are disposed on or in the mounting fixture.
 64. The hydrogenfuel storage unit of claim 59 further including an electrical powerconsuming device which is coupled to the power portion of the electricalinterface.
 65. The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 59 wherein thefluid interface includes a valve assembly having a pressure ortemperature sensitive relief mechanism integrated within the valveassembly.
 66. The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 65 wherein thepressure or temperature sensitive relief mechanism includes a portdisposed in the valve assembly wherein the port includes a temperatureor pressure responsive material disposed therein.
 67. The hydrogen fuelstorage unit of claim 59 wherein the memory stores data which isrepresentative of a unique characteristic of hydrogen fuel storage unit.68. The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 59 further including controlcircuitry, wherein the control circuitry, in response to a user input,instructs the visual display to display information which isrepresentative of the amount of hydrogen-based fuel that is in the fuelvessel.
 69. The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 68 further includinga contact switch, coupled to the control circuitry, to receive the userinput.
 70. A hydrogen fuel storage unit for use in a hydrogen-basedpower generation system, wherein the hydrogen-based power generationsystem includes a power unit which is adapted to engage the hydrogenfuel storage unit and generate electrical power using hydrogen-basedfuel therefrom, the hydrogen fuel storage unit comprising: a fuel vesselto store hydrogen-based fuel; a collar-like mounting fixture attached tothe fuel vessel; a plurality of interfaces, including: a mechanicalinterface adapted to engage a reciprocal mechanical interface of thehydrogen-based power generation system; a fluid interface adapted toengage a fluid interface of the hydrogen-based power generation system,the fluid interface including a valve assembly having a pressure ortemperature sensitive relief mechanism integrated within the valveassembly; and an electrical interface, adapted to engage an electricalinterface of the hydrogen-based power generation system, including apower portion and a data portion wherein the electrical interfaceincludes a plurality of sets of a plurality of electrical contactsdisposed on the collar-like mounting fixture; and an electrical powerconsuming device coupled to the collar-like mounting fixture and thepower portion of the electrical interface such that when the hydrogenfuel storage unit is engaged with the power unit the electrical powerconsuming device receives electrical power from the power portion of theelectrical interface.
 71. The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 70wherein the collar-like mounting fixture is secured to an externalsurface of the fuel vessel via reciprocating threads.
 72. The hydrogenfuel storage unit of claim 70 further including: memory, disposed in oron the collar-like mounting fixture, to store data which isrepresentative of the operating parameter of the fuel vessel such thatwhen the hydrogen fuel storage unit is disengaged from the power unit,the memory retains the data which is representative of the operatingparameter of the fuel vessel; and a visual display, disposed in or onthe collar-like mounting fixture and electrically coupled to the memory,to display information which is representative of the operatingparameter of the fuel vessel.
 73. The hydrogen fuel storage unit ofclaim 72 further including a battery, disposed in or on the collar-likemounting fixture and electrically coupled to the visual display, toprovide electrical power to the visual display when the hydrogen fuelstorage unit is disengaged from the power unit.
 74. The hydrogen fuelstorage unit of claim 72 wherein the memory, in response to commandsfrom an external device, stores data which is representative of theoperating parameter of the fuel vessel.
 75. The hydrogen fuel storageunit of claim 72 further including control circuitry, disposed in or onthe collar-like mounting fixture and electrically coupled to the memoryand the visual display.
 76. The hydrogen fuel storage unit of claim 75wherein the control circuitry, in response to a user input, causes thevisual display to display information which is representative of theoperating parameter of the fuel vessel.
 77. The hydrogen fuel storageunit of claim 76 further including a contact switch, coupled to thecontrol circuitry, to receive the user input.
 78. The hydrogen fuelstorage unit of claim 70 wherein each set of the plurality of electricalcontacts is a complete electrical interface.
 79. The hydrogen fuelstorage unit of claim 70 further including memory, disposed in or on themounting fixture, to store data which is representative of the amount offuel in the fuel vessel such that (1) when the hydrogen fuel storageunit is engaged with the power unit, the memory receives electricalpower from the power portion of the electrical interface, and (2) whenthe hydrogen fuel storage unit is disengaged from the power unit, thememory retains data which is representative of the amount of fuel in thefuel vessel.